Everybody has lats. And they change size and shape depending on the position of the arms. They are a lot more pronounced in boys than girls.
With the arms held in front, up to give access for a chest harness, they produce the V shape of the back. Ropes tied simply around the torso will therefor tend to descent the V and slip off. Movement of the arms will tend to tighten and relax the ropes and speed the movement of the ropes.
The answer is shoulder straps. They hold the ropes in place when outside forces (like vertical lines) aren't present.
I like the V shape of shoulder straps brought to a rope bend over the sternum or spine.
A rope instructor that I respect says that he prefers the square angles.
The squared version I call the Lederhosen tie. It is useful, but it doesn't please me visually.
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| Detail of the Lederhosen tie |
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| angled shoulder straps coming to a rope bend over the spine |
